Spencer Ware injury is a torn PCL, ‘thought to be season-ending,’ per Chiefs trainer

Spencer Ware’s injury is a torn PCL in addition to other damage, and according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Chiefs Head Athletic Trainer Rick Burkholder believes it to be season-ending, though Kansas City will have the opportunity to bring him back late in the year should the franchise add him to the injured reserve list; a rule approved this spring now allows teams to activate up to two players from IR.

Ware suffered the injury in the first quarter of Friday night’s preseason game against the Seahawks. As he turned to take a red zone swing pass upfield, Seattle linebacker Terence Garvin twisted him to the turf. Though he’d try to pop back to his feet, Ware ultimately had to be carted back to the locker room for further evaluation.

Losing the young runner is a significant loss for the Chiefs. Ware had his best season as a pro in 2016, running for 921 yards after assuming starting tailback duties. He was slated to lead a platoon that includes Charcandrick West and Kareem Hunt this fall.

His injury will put additional pressure on that duo and 2017 signee C.J. Spiller, who had just six carries last season. Hunt, a rookie third-round pick out of Toledo, could be the main benefactor of Ware’s absence. He’s run for an efficient -- but not especially impressive — 4.3 yards per carry this preseason. He’ll stake his claim against West, who flopped in 2016 but tallied a 113-yard performance in a preseason game against the Bengals.

Whoever gets the call will have to be able to produce in a high-pressure environment. Expectations in Kansas City are mounting after last season’s AFC West title ended with a one-and-done playoff performance. Alex Smith’s conservative passing makes the Chiefs’ running game a priority, and Ware was pegged to be the leader of that unit in 2017. Now, those duties fall to a group of players loaded with question marks.